Pioneer announced earlier this year that its latest aftermarket NEX infotainment systems will be compatible with CarPlay, allowing customers to install the Apple technology in an existing automobile. The hardware requires only a firmware update that is expected to be available in "a few weeks", putting the company on or even slightly ahead of its original "early summer" schedule.

Pioneer was in San Francisco this week showcasing the technology, which provides drivers with an integrated experience for placing phone calls, using maps, listening to music and messaging via Siri. As noted by Macworld, demo cars included the high-end $1400 Pioneer AVH-8000NEX system, which contains an in-dash capacitive touchscreen that allows the driver to tap on the infotainment screen to interact with the CarPlay system. CarPlay also supports hands-free operation using Siri to control many of the available functions.

Macworld did note some issues with Siri's ability to handle background noise in the car, but Pioneer's Ted Cardenas pointed out that with Siri's ability to learn and improve over time, those background noises will become less of a distraction as Siri learns to pick out the driver's voice.

The current version of Apple's Carplay technology requires a Lightning cable connection between the iPhone and the receiver, limiting its usage to the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. Rumored wireless support over Wi-Fi connection has not been confirmed by Apple, but even then the feature would require updated hardware for Pioneer, as the current NEX systems do not support Wi-Fi connectivity.

Pioneer is one of the first automobile electronics companies to offer an aftermarket CarPlay system to customers who don't want to purchase a new car in order to experience the feature. Alpine also announced its own series of aftermarket CarPlay receivers, but they are expected to arrive later this year.

Top Rated Comments

But before we put a $1400 touchscreen device into our car so that it can utilize a few of the apps of iOS, why not just buy a "whole" iPad or iPad mini and get that installed instead? At $1400, one could install 2-3 "whole" iPads so that passengers could use more than one screen for more than 1 purpose. I think this is cool and all but I have a hard time seeing the utility of $1400 for limited functionality vs. full functionality for as little as $399 (plus installation). A quick look around has iPad install kits for

Why should I care about a "double DIN" spot? Apparently, this is about being able to fit one 7" device vs. another. See the video clip links posted earlier. It's not hard to put an iPad Mini in dash. The clips show it and IMO, it looks great in dash.

What "pre-existing in-car features" shall I care about? And are you sure this Pioneer device will cover them as well?

And there's no way my iPad data can cost extra because I don't bother with an iPhone. As such, my "data plan" costs about $100/yr (that's YEAR). I still get all my calls, I still make all my calls, I still text and get texts, all to a "normal" number… just like anyone with an iPhone. It "just works" just fine. But it does cost a lot less for that phone functionality than an iPhone with it's monthly plan.

Now, if we want to sling: "what does your favored option not do that I could do with an iPad mini installed", about 1 million other apps would by my first punch. Need another? When I get to where I'm going, I could just pop out the mini and use it as an iPad (again, see those video clips posted earlier in this thread). Can I pop out that pioneer device and use it an an iPad? But again, this is not about one winning, I am just not cheering on carplay like it's ideal for everyone. It's not. Nor am I suggesting installing an iPad in dash is ideal for everyone. It's not. What I have offered up is that- for the money- one seems like a better option than the other for me. Apparently, such an observation is absolutely wrong and the correct opinion for everyone would be "yeahhh, carplay is the ONE and ONLY way to go." Now open those wallets and comply.

We get it. You would rather have an iPad Mini. We also got it at 10am when you made the same point.

Selling someone one thing, not providing it, then lying about it. Seems pretty cut and dry.

F pioneer.

It's tough to blame Apple when Pioneer made the press release promise, Pioneer sold me the unit and took my money, Pioneer still has my money and i have a unit that still after many months, categorically fails do what Pioneer actively marketed it as being able to do.

I hope you guys know you could be waiting until next year and be stuck with an outdated head unit by the time carplay does get released.

Every state has laws against unfair and deceptive business practices. In MA it's called 93a. If a company uses "unfair or deceptive" business practices they're liable to the tune of 3 times your damages.

Even hellen keller could see this is unfair and deceptive. Pioneer really stepped in it here.

I'm going to get my money back from pioneer. F this.

I ONLY bought this damn thing for carplay. I don't have a "bumping system" i just wanted carplay and the functionality that comes with it.

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